Airports: YSSY,YMML,YBBN Date/Time: August 7, 2026, 5pm PT - 9pm PT Date/Time (Zulu): August 8, 2026, 0000z - 0400z

Event Details

VATUSA in partnership with VATPAC invites you to Friday Night Ops: Downunder! Join us as we light up the skies between Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane on Friday the 8th of August (Saturday morning Downunder)

Friday Night Ops is a weekly event run by VATUSA; normally visiting places all around the United States. This time around, Friday Night Ops are coming to the land down under. Fly anywhere between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from 0000z to 0400z (1000-1400 AEST).

Flight Planning

In Australia, flight plans are filed in the ICAO format. SIDs & STARs are not included in the filed flight plan. This will be provided by ATC on contact with clearance delivery (for departures) and with the Centre controller prior to top of descent.

Pre-Departure Clearances (PDCs) are used in Australia. Pilots are required to readback PDCs to the delivery controller. However, when reading back the PDC you do not need to read back everything. Just the SQUAWK, DEPARTURE PROCEDURE, RUNWAY and BAY.

The following video outlines the procedures when flying in Australian Airspace: https://youtu.be/h1YvYQ7JsdU

VATPAC recommends the following routes between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane:

**YSSY – YMML: **  DCT WOL H65 LEECE Q29 BOOIN DCT

YMML – YSSY:  DCT DOSEL Y59 RIVET DCT

**YSSY – YBBN:  ** DCT OLSEM Y193 BANDA H252 BN DCT

**YBBN – YSSY:  ** DCT BN H91 IGDAM H652 TESAT DCT

**YMML – YBBN: **  DCT ML H66 LAGOB H252 BN DCT

**YBBN – YMML: **  DCT BN H91 SANEG Q35 DORSU H119 ML DCT

Pilots are still welcome to fly other routes, however you must make sure your flight plan is compliant with FlightPlanning Requirements. You can use our Pilot Assist Tools 'Route Finder' function to find current valid routings.

Aerodrome and Departure/Approach charts are available for free within Australia which can be found (https://vatpac.org/membership-hub/tools/charts).

Scenery YSSY - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Payware - FlyTampa v2 (FSX/P3D) Payware – FlyTampa (MSFS) Payware - FlyTampa (X-Plane) Freeware - AVSIM (FSX/P3D) Freeware - Gateway (X-Plane 11/12)

YMML - Melbourne Airport: Payware – Orbx (MSFS) Freeware – Flightsim.to (MSFS) Payware – Orbx (FSX/P3D) Freeware – Flyaway (FSX/P3D) Freeware - Gateway (XPlane)

YBBN - Brisbane Airport: Payware - ORBX (P3D v4.5+) Payware - ORBX (MSFS) Payware - ORBX (X-Plane 11) Freeware - Ray Smith (P3D/FSX) Freeware - CDG (X-Plane)

Join the virtual Memphis ARTCC for a party on Broadway, LIVE!

Event Field: KBNA
Time & Date: August 8th, 2026, 4-10 PM Central (2100-0300z)

Take the Synaptic A220 online for an evening of fully staffed ATC across the United States. Hosted by VATUSA, this event features three major A220 destinations with comprehensive air traffic control coverage, offering the perfect opportunity to fly airline operations in one of the world's busiest airspace systems.

Whether you're flying short sectors, hub-to-hub services, or joining friends for a group flight, expect busy frequencies, professional ATC, and a great atmosphere throughout the event.

Date: 9 August Time: 2200–0200z

Featured Airports:

Atlanta – KATL

Boston – KBOS

Detroit – KDTW

Back in early 1910, the first ever flight school was established in Montgomery, Alabama to train civilian pilots in the United States. Although the flight school didn't last long here, this major milestone in American aviation set forth the freedom of flight that fellow aviators have today. Swing on by KMGM this Thursday night with your general aviation aircraft as we look back at the First Flight's First School. See you then!

Event field: KMGM

Event times: 23z-02z

Event date: 8/13/2026

Join ZFW as we staff the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. From the corporate traffic at Addison, to the Amazon Cargo at Alliance and the GA Traffic galore, the D10 has plenty to see!